No. 2 Hesperia and No. 3 New Lothrop dualed Saturday in what will be one of the most memorable matches turned in at the MHSAA state finals tournament.

Panthers junior David Jacobs outlasted Hornets sophomore Gabe Bennett 8-6, earning a 2-point reversal with around 10 seconds left in the 130-pound bout, to give Hesperia a 29-26 win Saturday in the Division 4 state semifinals at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek.

"That's probably the best dual match I've ever been a part of, and I've been through a lot of them," said Hesperia coach Doug Baird before going to take a quick break.

The Panthers will need to recover in a hurry, as they match up with top-ranked and 4-time defending state champ Hudson at 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

Hesperia and New Lothrop traded the lead back and forth all match before Zach Yates drew the Panthers into a 26-all tie with just the Jacobs-Bennett classic left to decide the winner.

Jacobs never trailed, but the bout was back and forth the entire six minutes.

The Hesperia junior took a 2-0 lead with a takedown, but Bennett tied it up at 2-all before the end of the first period on an escape and an illegal hold. Jacobs took a 4-2 lead in the second period on a reversal and held that lead through four minutes.

The final two minutes were frantic on both sides. Bennett notched a reversal to tie it at 4-all, only to see Jacobs retake the lead on his own reversal. Finally Bennett recorded another reversal to tie it and the whistle was blown with 30 seconds left.

From the down position Jacobs fought through several good attempts by Bennett to get him on his back, then took advantage of Bennett being a little too high to get the reversal with 10 seconds left.

Johnny Robinson got a pin with two bouts to go to give New Lothrop a 26-22 lead.

In all there were six lead changes in the thrilling match.

Hesperia beat New Lothrop 37-29 in a very good match at the West Michigan Duals at Whitehall High School in late January.